Ashling's Apocalypse
Commander / EDH*
SCORE: 28 | 23 COMMENTS | 11401 VIEWS | IN 11 FOLDERS
Ashling Evolves —Oct. 15, 2012
I decided to play test some major changes.
The first change is the addition of equipment, here is what I added and why: Scythe of the Wretched Ashling explodes and essentially takes control of all creatures on the field and remains on the field. Loxodon Warhammer and Basilisk Collar gain a tremendous amount of life and dish out damage across the board not to mention the benefits of trample and deathtouch. Explorer's Scope Cheat extra land on the field more mana means more burning laughs maniacally. Diviner's Wand Ashling grows faster and draws cards.
The second change was the addition of much more card draw. This serves two purposes. First, red doesn't tutor so the only way to get to my mana acceleration is to draw into it. Second, without any creatures it is very difficult to burn through 40 life points and my play group is never less than 4 people not to mention creatures. So, you go through a lot of cards to protect yourself and destroy your opponents.
The third changes is a trial run on land destruction Ruination, Wake of Destruction and Burning Sands. I want to see primarily how effective it is and whether it pisses of my friends too bad to play.
The final change is the removal of more creatures and the addition of one. I am tempted to remove all the creatures in this deck but first I want to play test Walking Atlas.
I am excited to see how my deck plays this week; however, this deck has become notorious with my play group so I am expecting it to be a 4-on-1, but I think Ashling is up to the challenge!
So the question of the week is should I cut the remaining creatures in my deck? I look forward to any suggestions!!! Check back next week for an update about the play testing.
MagicBlake says... #2
Betsy,
First off thanks for the +1! This deck is actually very effective at keeping creatures off the field and dishing out punishment to my opponents when they do summon creatures giving me a distinct advantage.
I see where you can come to the conclusion that I have to many "X" cost spells but the reason that they are in there is because I play in a multiplayer EDH setting and it is very easy to run out of cards in hand. The "X" cost cards allow me to dish out a lot of damage, especially in the late game, without having to burn through all a fist-full of cards. Combined with all the cards that double mana "X" is usually more than 10.
In the original design of this deck I had both Loxodon Warhammer and Basilisk Collar for Heartless but it just didn't fit the "Crazy Pyromancer" theme I was going for; although they are very effective when combined with Heartless Hidetsugu's tapping ability.
August 28, 2012 10:53 p.m.
MagicBlake says... #3
I recently added a lot more card draw to this deck. I will let you know if this change has had a significant/positive impact within the next few weeks as I test the changes.
I am also considering the removal of both Platinum Emperion and Fire Servant .
Opinions and suggestions are welcome. Especially suggestions!
September 29, 2012 11:24 p.m.
elitestgen says... #4
Burning Sands rips tokens apart and you have no creatures in your deck, so win all around.
Stuffy Doll is in your maybeboard, but I'd consider main decking him to chump block all day and go ape shit with Chain Reaction and Blasphemous Act . Mogg Maniac can be used to a less degree for the same purpose.
Solemn Simulacrum isn't bad either, little bit of ramp on a body that doesn't cost a card.
I highly encourage the snow engine for mono red, it needs all the help it can get from Scrying Sheets , locks other players from your Extraplanar Lens , and it'll let you use Skred for more removal.
The only big room for improvement is probably your lands, you could Crucible of Worlds with fetches and cycles, run Thawing Glaciers so you don't worry about missing land drops, and Dormant Volcano is good too. Alternatively, maybe just throw in a Ruination to trash your opponents nonbasics.
Overall very nice burn for EDH, but for the most part I'm a stax / control player so it's hard for me to give but so much insight.
October 5, 2012 3:04 a.m.
MagicBlake says... #5
Elitesgen,
I really appreciate the rate/suggestion. Unfortunately, I am unable to run snow lands because I play in a group where one of the players runs snow mountains in their Dragon deck.
In regard to the creature suggestions I am currently debating whether to remove all creatures from my deck or not but, I really like Platinum Emperion and Walking Atlas though... which means I should probably should add Solemn Simulacrum since mana ramping options are quite limited in red decks.
I have also been seriously considering Crucible of Worlds and in my game tonight I am going to evaluate whether it would be valuable, however; I am trying to stay away from non-basic lands as much as possible so that I get more effeciency from my mana ramping effects e.g. Gauntlet of Might .
As for Ruination ... well... I really want to run it but I think it might be a little too mean... In fact, I have considered removing Burning Sands for the same reason. Land destruction is ruthless and frustrating to other players and Ruination and Burning Sands are devastatingly effective. I think I like my friends more than I like winning but the jury is still out on that one ;)
betsy says... #1
I think you have a few too many spells with x in their mana costs but I like the deck. Also running things to give your general lifelink could be quite tasty...
August 28, 2012 3:05 a.m.